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From COLLINS EKE, Benin
AN alleged monumental fraud running into billions of naira allegedly squandered on the Benin City road network, by Governor Oserhiemen Osunbor has sparked off a cold war in Edo State....
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AT the grand launch of this year's edition of the ReachOut Nigeria with Rhapsody of Realities campaign, President of Believers Loveworld (also known as) Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris....



NEWS

• Shake-up imminent in ANPP
• As Third Mainland bridge re-opens: Lagosians heave sigh of relief
• Court orders arrest of PDP chieftain in Kaduna
• Imo deputy governor clashes with kinsmen  
• Principal, vice escape kidnap attack
• Village head, four others quizzed
• Group alerts of plot to rip-off Rivers officials
• Forum cautions Ijaws on minister for Niger Delta
• National Identity Cards in a fix 
• Group wants WAEC probed
• Nobody can stop my judicial commission of inquiry –Jang
• Fayose commends Oni's unity govt plan 
• Shun ostentatious living, Moslems told
• NEMA advises stake-holders on disaster management
• I'm okay with JTF operations –New Defence Chief 
• Monarchs endorse Akpabio for second term
• Anambra PDP Crisis: Ubah hails Gana's committee
• Rivers to get tourism dev. commission
• COREN goes tough on erring members
• 22 German students take courses in Hausa
• Varsity don raises alarm over materialism
• Speak your mother-tongue, Ohakim tells Nigerians

Relating Stories

• Adenuga, Otedola fingered in N92b bid for Newcastle
• NFF demands prompt report from match commissioners
• WBC Heavyweight bout: Bring on Klitschko now –Peter
• Fall-out of African U-17 ouster: Dike's boys still useful –Iroha
• Damola dares to be the best
• UEFA Champions League: Scolari targets clean sweep
• Eto'o relishes current form
• Atletico face up to Simao absence
• Mikel flays Makelele comparison
• 'Zaki is like Shearer'
• Oliseh tasks Amodu on Olympic Eagles

'Zaki is like Shearer'

NEW Premier League goalscoring sensation Amr Zaki has been likened to Alan Shearer following his stunning start to the season.

Zaki has taken the top flight by storm after Wigan boss Steve Bruce proved patience is a virtue.
Bruce spent months negotiating a deal for the Egypt international, who has scored five goals in as many games since agreeing a season-long loan deal from Zamalek.

Wigan owner Dave Whelan concedes to being stunned when he heard of Bruce's interest in Zaki, but has since been bowled over by the 25-year-old who reminds him of former England and Newcastle star Shearer.
"When you look at this lad and his build, he is the same height, weight, everything about him, he is like Alan Shearer," insisted Whelan.

"He has the same confidence when he gets the ball, he knows where the goal is, he doesn't need to look up, he has this instinct.

"Strikers like that have an instinct as to where the goal is. You can't describe it, you can't give it to anybody.
"Certain people have it and Alan Shearer was one who had it in abundance, and this lad is exactly the same.
"He has this ability to score goals. Sometimes there is no danger, but then, wham, and the ball is in the back of the net."

Whelan has not been too surprised at how quickly Zaki has adjusted to the demands of the English game now he has seen him in action.

"When the boss first mentioned him, I thought: 'A striker from Egypt? Very unusual,"' added Whelan.
"But Steve told me that he possessed the best goalscoring record in international football at present, and again I thought, 'From Egypt? No'. But Steve was correct.

"And when you watch him, he will not give in, he will not give up. He fights and runs, and he is wonderful."
Not so wonderful in Whelan's eyes is Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, who has earned a stinging rebuke from the 72-year-old.

Whelan feels Ashley was wrong to have bought the Magpies just over a year ago, and is now deserving of the fans' frustrations vented of late, especially in the wake of Kevin Keegan's departure.
"I know Mike Ashley quite well as I was running JJB (Sports) when he was with Sports Direct, and he is a bit unusual," remarked Whelan.

"He is a very good retailer, but at managing a football club, no.
"Especially with him being a Tottenham supporter and then going up to Newcastle, a club that is a different kettle of fish to most in the land.

"The fans up there eat, breathe and live for one thing, and that is Newcastle United.
"Unless you put your whole heart into it, are a 100 per cent Geordie and are backing them, then they will give you some stick.
"He has got it, and he deserves it.”